State closes N.W. Side day care facility

By Ana Ley :
November 29, 2012
: Updated: November 29, 2012 3:02pm

A Northwest Side day care center has been shut down by the state's Department of Family and Protective Services after investigators determined its caregivers were negligent and abusive.

The Enrichment Academy, at 7702 Eckhert Road, has been cited for 43 deficiencies in the past six months, according to a letter sent Monday to Aparna Challapalli, who applied for a permit to operate the facility earlier this year.

DFPS investigators found that a caregiver had used excessive force to pick up a 3-year-old child off the floor, fracturing the toddler's arm.

Staff members were deemed negligent after another child with special needs reportedly left the facility's playground without supervision. The child, 6, was found walking on a busy road, and passersby stopped their cars to direct him to safety.

The facility was ordered to shut down after getting the letter this week and to post a notice about the closure near all public entrances.

Challapalli also has been banned from applying for a child-care permit or from being a supervisor at a child care facility for the next five years.